Paris – 06/04/2026: Arnaud Gallais, president of the organization Mouv’Enfants, speaks out in the case of the missing eleven-year-old Lyhanna with clear words. In his view, the judiciary shows a too hesitant attitude in dealing with missing children like Lyhanna, endangering the welfare of the children. In an interview with Franceinfo on June 4, 2026, Gallais sharply criticized the current legal practice and warned of the risks that arise when the presumption of innocence is overstretched to the detriment of those in need of protection.
The eleven-year-old has been missing since May 29, 2026. The investigations focus on a 41-year-old man who was last in contact with Lyhanna and was brought before the investigating judge in Agen on June 1, 2026. He is accused of kidnapping and unlawful detention of a minor under 15 years. Taken into pretrial detention, he has remained silent in court so far.
Gallais emphasizes that the judiciary must act faster and more decisively in cases like this. “In the name of the presumption of innocence, society systematically takes a risk against the children,” Gallais said. He demands that this fundamental rule of the legal system should not lead to endangering the safety and welfare of particularly vulnerable minors. The delayed response could contribute to further harm or loss of important clues.
The organization Mouv’Enfants is committed to fighting sexual violence and abuse against children and has been calling for more efficient protection and stricter prosecution for years. Gallais calls on the judiciary and authorities to find a new balance between the rule of law and child protection when dealing with suspected cases of child welfare endangerment. The investigations into the Lyhanna case are ongoing; authorities still hope for a quick resolution and, above all, the safe recovery of the girl.
Alongside Gallais’ criticism, the debate on the application of the presumption of innocence is currently in the national focus. While the presumption of innocence remains a fundamental principle of democracy and criminal law, cases of missing or abused children raise the question of how protection of minors can be made more effective and better aligned with legal requirements. Especially civil society organizations such as Mouv’Enfants are calling for a reform of procedures to minimize risks to children caused by inactive waiting.
Overall, the Lyhanna case exemplifies the challenge of how the judiciary, politics, and society must collaborate more closely in protecting and clarifying child welfare endangerment to ensure quick help and security for affected children.
Sources
- Franceinfo